The Radio 1 don causing havoc on the dancefloor with his new monster tune ‘Spire’
Interview : Dan Prince
Yo yo yo Mr Howard, welcome back to DMCWORLD – where in the world are you right now?
“Hey there Dan, great to be back. Well I’m currently at home in London. I made the move down from the North back in August and it’s working out really well. Just getting used to how much everyone is always in a rush here in the capital!”
Massive new tune smashing The Buzz Chart, talk us through your latest track ‘Spire’ that is swinging our way on Spinnin’…
“Yeah well this is probably my biggest release to date. It charted well in The Buzz Chart and then was flying high in the electro chart on Beatport. I’m so happy with it and it gathered some incredible support from the likes of Hardwell & Avicii to Paul Oakenfold & Pete Tong.”
A new night you are involved in, ‘Nothing Else Matters’ – tell us more!
“Yes, this is my new night that I’ve created with the concept being to showcase the best of British talent. All the line ups will consist of up and coming DJ/Producers that I’m feeling along with the odd special guest appearing on each night. We launched at Ministry Of Sound two weeks ago and it was a smasher so really excited about the next one in my more familiar surrounding of the North-West. It all goes down at Gorilla in Manchester with Josh Butler, Bontan, Special Guest Mark Knight and I might play a tune or two…”
Back in your ‘long haired baked bean addict’ days you studied Sport & Exercise Science at university. Was that just a cop out or was there a possible career idea floating about?
“I know Sports Science is often a course that is undertaken because college students are unsure of their next career move so it just seems like an easy option but my plan was to become a sports psychologist and work with athletes at the 2012 Olympics…I sort of got sidetracked and ended up on Radio 1 in 2012 instead! Not a bad alternative from the initial intention I guess.”
What are the big 5 tunes you’ll be spinning this weekend?
Danny Howard – Spire
Storm Queen – Look Right Through (Danny Howard Remix)
Danny Howard & Futuristic Polar Bears – Thundergod
Danny Howard & GLOWINTHEDARK Ft. T3NBears – Do You
Reepublic – Pantheon
You have filled in for Lord Tong on his Essential Selection Radio 1 show on numerous occasions…is there any more pressure or nerves on you than when you do your Saturday day time slot?
“It’s been quite surreal to fill in for Pete but amazing at the same time because he’s such a legend. They’re two different shows and it gives me the challenge of being able to present both but in a way that it serves the purpose in which they are there for and what they represent and that’s what puts the pressure on…being able to present a show at 4 o’clock in the afternoon and at 9pm on Friday night.”
Was reading an old interview you did last year and you admitted that you would “definitely do a gig with Paris Hilton out of curiosity”. She rammed Amnesia in Ibiza this summer, what is your take on her now?
“Well why not! I think she isn’t representing the art of DJing very well and it’s sort of demining on the skill required to be able to fulfill an actual DJ set but on the other hand, it’d be interesting to see how she is behind the decks, just to make myself feel better more than anything.”
What is the craziest request you have ever had from a fan whilst DJing?
“‘Have you got any Miley Cirus?’ She was ejected from the building.”
Favourite moment of Ibiza 2013?
“Playing the Cream party for Radio 1 in Ibiza at Privilege. Ten Thousand people, the place was rammed by midnight and it was just incredible.”
Eden – best sound system on the island?
“Well it’s certainly up there! I think Eden has a lot to offer and will be one of the main party destinations for 2014. The refurbishment is great, sound system booming so it just means waiting to see what DJs they bring on board next year.”
Anthem of the summer?
“Has to be Storm Queen – Look Right Through (MK Remix). Starting to get a bit over played now but what a tune!!”
What is your all time classic dance anthems 5…
Freeform Five – No More Conversation (Mylo Remix)
Bodyrox – Yeah Yeah (D Ramirez Remix – Instrumental)
Axwell Ft. Max C – I Found U
Daft Punk – One More Time
The Chemical Brothers – Hey Boy Hey Girl
You have played alongside some superstar DJs these past couple of years, who has really blown you away?
“I think the one where I’ve been really impressed set wise was Porter Robinson. It was in Glasgow at The Arches at the end of 2012 and he just had the place jumping. Incredible tune selection that the Scottish crowd lapped up!”
Who are some of the producers from round the world you are giving high fives to right now?
“There’s these Dutch guys called GLOWINTHEDARK who are from Chuckie’s ‘Dirty Dutch’ camp. They also had a club hit with David Guetta that was big for them. They’re hugely talented producers who I think will have a big year in 2014. I have done a collab with them, which should be out early next year.”
Looking back to when you won the Superstar DJ Competition on Radio 1, has your DJing or production levels improved/changed in any way?
“Of course! I think just because you get an opportunity or a bit of success, doesn’t mean you should just stop trying to get better. I’m always looking for ways to improve and better myself every single day. I want to look back on every year and make sure I achieved more than the year previous…and to do that, I need to keep enhancing my skills. It’s a natural process that develops with hard work.”
After winning the competition can you recall a lovely moment when you had a word with yourself and thought, ‘shit is this really happening to me?’
“I have that moment every day. I never forget how this all started and all the hard work I’ve put in previous to the competition so I appreciate everything I achieve.”
Biggest perk of working for the Beeb?
“It’s a worldwide-recognised company that you can say you work for…to drop that in conversation is unbelievable. The sausage rolls from the canteen aren’t bad either…”
Not many people know this, but Danny Howard is really good at…
“Being late.”
Your guilty pleasure record?
“Mika – Happy Ending. Really gets me when it appears on the X Factor sob stories every year.”
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
“A collaboration with GLOWINTHEDARK. It’s a proper club destroyer coming on Spinnin Records. Can’t wait for this one to come out.”
